Hodgson takes charge of youngsters

England manager Roy Hodgson will take charge of the U21 side for their game against Scotland on August 13.

Hodgson and Ray Lewington offered their services for the Bramall Lane match, seeing it as a prime opportunity to work closely with a group of players who will be looking to further their claims of a place in the senior set-up.

The Football Association is advertising for a replacement for Stuart Pearce and hope to make an appointment in time for the start of the UEFA U21 European Championship qualifiers in September.

Hodgson said: "There is an opportunity while the recruitment process goes on for me to work with this squad for this fixture, and it is something I very much wanted to do.

"Following the tournament in the summer, a number of players are now too old for the age group so we will look at a new batch and I'm keen to work closely on the training field with them for the few days before the game at Bramall Lane.

"I watch the U21 fixtures and I was in Israel for the tournament but, as a coach, nothing can beat the training field and the team hotel for getting to know players properly.

"In a World Cup year it makes absolute sense while there is the chance to do it."

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington added: "We welcome Roy's offer to take the U21 team in August.

"While we are recruiting for a new full-time coach, Roy and the senior team coaches will have a good opportunity to look closely at a new age group of players, both on and off the pitch.

"As both teams are based at St. George's Park, we believe this is a sensible approach and we look forward to Roy working closely with the U21 coach once we have made an appointment."